By Michael Farber, SI.com
The hockey gods have smiled on the Stanley Cup, flashing a grin as wide as the talent disparity between the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins and everybody else in the NHL. This 2008 final looks like a real keeper, a meeting not merely of the two best teams in the NHL -- but the two most viscerally appealing.
This could be a heavyweight bout.
In the red corner are the President Trophy-winning Red Wings, who took care of business, albeit a little belatedly, by thumping the Stars, 4-1, in Dallas for Game 6 of the Western Conference final Monday. The Wings are graced with the best linemates in hockey, Henrik Zetterberg, who picked Stars captain Brenden Morrow's pocket to score a shorthanded breakaway goal in the second period and squelch any thought of a Stars comeback, and Pavel Datsyuk, who had a goal in the three-goal first period outburst that deflated the crowd at the American Airlines Center. They have the best defenseman of his generation and one of the top five or so in modern NHL history, the elegant Nicklas Lidstrom (above). They also have, as you probably already noticed, the puck. If you were curious about why Detroit goalie Chris Osgood seems like he is bubble-wrapped, look no further than puck possession: The Red Wings play an elaborately skilled game of keep-away, leading a merry chase that rarely allows more than 22 shots per game on their net.
In the black-and-gold corner are the Pittsburgh Penguins, who were already home and cooled after trashing Philadelphia some 28 hours earlier in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final. They have the two best players in the NHL who are not regular linemates in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin and more dependable two-line scoring than the Red Wings, at least as long as Detroit's Johan Franzen is sidelined with a concussion. Like Detroit, the Penguins are hockey's version of eye candy, dangling more than a sixth-grader's participle. Although not as prepossessing on defense, the Penguins can throw a 1-4 trap at almost any time and suck the oxygen out of a game when they need to protect a lead.
So to sum up, after more than a decade of Stanley Cup final matchups that had less buzz than a circular saw, the NHL finds itself blessed with an Original Six team with national appeal and a worthy history (Detroit's 10 Stanley Cups are third to only Toronto's 13 and Montreal's 24) playing a team with a great backstory (bankruptcies, a near relocation) and the most young talent in the NHL, headed by a 20-year-old star with a soupçon of name recognition -- even in non-hockey towns.
For Games 3 through 7, when NBC takes over the telecasts from the NHL's subterranean cable network, Versus, the Peacock plans to change its name to National Broadcasting Crosby.
Presumably, El Sid will be the centerpiece of the final because the exposure of a long series -- and this one has a chance -- can turn Crosby into a crossover star in a star-conscious country, someone capable of bursting through the confines of a 200-by-85 surface into the national sports conversation. Maybe even beyond. His talent is conspicuous, his passion is overt, his poise is astounding. There has not been a hockey player since Wayne Gretzky so singularly prepared for excellence. As one of the keepers of the game, Crosby takes his custodial role with the same seriousness that he takes most things. Like Gretzky in his first final in 1983, Crosby's debut makes this final appointment viewing.
The last final that created a genuine stir -- at least before it began and the Red Wings ran the table -- was Detroit-Philadelphia in 1997, boasting Eric Lindros and the Legion of Doom against self-proclaimed Hockeytown. The subsequent finals either have involved trapping teams (New Jersey in 2000, 2001 and 2003), small-market Canadian teams against American teams without national cachet (Calgary vs. Tampa Bay in 2004, Edmonton vs. Carolina in 2006, Ottawa vs. Anaheim in 2007), apparent mismatches (Detroit vs. Washington in 1998 and Carolina in 2002) or one-man teams (Buffalo's Dominik Hasek vs. Dallas in 1999). There have not been the layers of intrigue or the sheer quantity of skill that Detroit and Pittsburgh now offer.
This might be mere serendipity or a sign of something more significant at work. Three seasons past the lockout, maybe it is time for the NHL to take a bow. The game was re-worked in the 2004-05 hiatus in an effort to end the old hook-and-hold-‘em rodeo and reward skilled players. Although the pace of progress seemed glacial -- the so-called officiating standard can be maddening -- there is an increased flow and indeed beauty to the NHL game. The league seems to have found its happy place.
When the two teams that play the most exemplary hockey get to do it in a Stanley Cup final that starts Saturday, the NHL has got it right.
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Comments (154) Add A Comment
Agreed, Michael. The NHL got its dream with the young, flashy Pens with American name recognition against the mighty Wings, with one of the best fan bases in terms of TV viewers. Not only is that a good storyline, there are yet more: Can Fleury stop pucks with Holmstrom/Cleary/Franzen (hopefully) in his face? Can Ruutu get under Zetterberg's skin? Will the Penguins be the first to penetrate the Detroit D-line? Like I said, a perfect matchup, and LET'S GO WINGS!
Redwing19: retired
Halifax, NS
Total Comments (35151)
This should be a great Finals. I haven't been this psyched for the Stanley Cup Finals since the Avelance Devils series in 01
NYGiants: Get Your…
Rockville Centre , NY
Total Comments (4223)
"Detroit's 10 Stanley Cups are second only to Montreal's 24."
Michael, I have the Toronto Maple Leafs and their 13 Stanley Cups on line one.
SoccerHaus
Chicago , IL
Total Comments (10)
I'm surprised that no Toronto Maple Leafs fan hasn't already jumped on this and pointed out that the Leafs have won 13 Cups.
I don't really follow the NHL that closely at all, though when I do, I hope to see the Wild do well.
badgers54
Cottage Grove , WI
Total Comments (2)
and let the crosby bashing begin....gonna be an awsome series GO PENS!
jpb5066
New Kensington, PA
Total Comments (14)
I started writing that last one before SoccerHaus's post showed up. Go Penguins, I guess, though right now I'm more concerned about seeing Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett win a title.
badgers54
Cottage Grove , WI
Total Comments (2)
This is only the dream matchup because Sid's Kids need to beat the best to prove their soon-to-be legendary worth and Dallas just didnt have the star power or hockey tradition that Motown does.
Cassidy's House:…
Whatsittoya, NO
Total Comments (16281)
Going in you've got to give the Redwings the edge, agreed. However, in the finals, injuries loom large for either team. I think Franzen is a perfect example. He'll probably be back in time, but I think true star power is on the Pens side. If a big name goes down for either side the Wings would feel the loss a lot more. That said, I really hope we see an open, up and down, skating and puck handling display. Hockey needs to be showcased with this much talent. Both teams should skate well in this series. Although, if you see the neutral zone trap on display, that means my Pens have the lead on all you sorry Wing loving goofs and your Redwings! Let's go Pens, Let's go Pens! You guys didn't think I meant any of that Wings advantage stuff did you? I just got you to read on so I could call you all goofs and say Let's Go Pens!!! Titletown Baby! Forget Hockeytown!
mikeinpittsburgh
Oakdale , PA
Total Comments (37)
we can only pray it goes 7
kriley
Richmond , VT
Total Comments (17)
I would love to see this series go 7. The Stars have proven the Wings are vulnerable at home and the Penguins are a way better team than Dallas.
Cassidy's House:…
Whatsittoya, NO
Total Comments (16281)
Vulnerable at home? Seriously? They lost a close, competitive game to Dallas, and have otherwise not lost a game at home in the playoffs! Dallas beat Anaheim, San Jose, and took Detroit to 6 games. Dallas would have beaten Pittsburgh too, had they been given a chance.
Sarnian
Oakville, MI
Total Comments (1)
Im so sick of hearing about Sid. I can't wait to see Kronwall knock him into the morrow. The Pens and Crosby are all hype.
eljefe247
Turlock , CA
Total Comments (43)
Sidney Crosby is the biggest whiner this sport have ever seen. If you watch him consistently it's pretty clear that he has been getting calls his whole life and cries about it when he doesn't. If the officiating in this series is even the Wings will take it easily. However i haven't seen even calls between the Pens and their opponents since these playoffs began. And seriously if i see Crosby dive one more time I am going to put a hole through my television. I can't believe that people can get on the Sean Avery bashing bandwagon for a unique hockey play that was WITHIN THE RULES and call him a disgrace by doing something that is not in the spirit of the game while Crosby can dive all over the ice and be considered the savior of our sport. Ovechkin is far and away a better player and ambassador of the game. Regardless i will putting away my beloved Rangers jersey and donning the old Steve Yzerman RedWings jersey for what while hopefully be a great series.
Chmizzles
Milwaukee , WI
Total Comments (2)
"(Detroit's 10 Stanley Cups are third to only Toronto's 13 and Montreal's 24)" Is what the article actually says.
What are you all reading?
knatwhat
Richmond , VA
Total Comments (4)
knatwhat, there's a thing modern technology can do, called editing. Check it up.
Anyway, this will indeed be a great series, and I hope it goes to 7 or at least 6 games. It's 2 even matched teams up front (while I have to say the Red Wings got more depth), in goal I would give the Pens a small edge though. Osgood has rarely been tested against firepower the magnitude of the Pens, and Fleury has shown he can step up when needed. On defense though, it's a home-run for the Red Wings, and I think this will be what decides the series. Although I'm rooting for the Pens, I think this will be Detroit's in 7.
Dashiva
Total Comments (220)
I agree the NHL has the finals it wanted and I am sure they let the refs know it was the game they wanted at least on the Pens side, Cry baby Crosby and the Pens had more than a little help from the officials. Penalty calls were not given equally ( High stick that drew blood in the Rangers game no call) so the Pens opposing teams had no chance. I hope the Red Wings wipe the ice with Crosby's cheesy mustache and win this in no more than 5.
mack8964
Total Comments (1)
The NHL SUCKS! They set up this match by encouraging the refs to make calls favoring these teams and EVERYONE knows it. Hell, I wouldnt put it past the NHL to encourage the Flyers and Stars to tank their games (for some future benefit of course). How can you explain the Stars and Flyers playing so well in their previous series only to look like bumbling fools in the Conference Finals?!?!? I am not a conspiracy theorist, but there are simply WAY TOO MANY coincidences combined with the Commiss stating he wanted to see Pens vs Wings. Its a business people and at the end of the day the NHL, as all the major sports leagues will do, will take whatever steps necessary to make the most $$$, especially the cash strapped NHL.
Shabba Rommel
Total Comments (42)
Lets go Pens.
T Rocks
Mysterious, PA
Total Comments (2574)
Wow, thought we would get away from the sophomoric name-calling once we won the last series but, unfortunately, we got some in here already.....
T Rocks
Mysterious, PA
Total Comments (2574)
Let's just hope that the Detroit Pistons don't take some the hype away. Their series with Boston should be just as good.
wojoman
Birmingham , MI
Total Comments (50)
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